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Maple Leaf Foods will be closing its turkey processing plant in Thamesford, Ont. The work currently being done at that plant will be moved to Sofina Foods’ new facility in Mitchell, Ont.

The transition is expected to occur over the next 18 months, and the move will result in approximately 400 jobs lost.

The Mississauga, Ont.-based company says the closure was necessary because of the age Thamesford plant, noting it wouldn’t be financially feasible to maintain or upgrade the facility.

“This was a very difficult decision given the impact on our employees and the community, but necessary given the substantial physical limitations at our 80-year-old Thamesford plant,” says Maple Leaf CEO Michael McCain.

Maple Leaf says it will work with the community to find a new use for its facility. It will also try to find “alternate employment” for the workers currently employed in Thamesford.

According to a story on CBC.ca, the workers who received layoff notices due to the upcoming closure were taken by surprise.